O'Keefe Carbon Project

The O'Keefe Carbon Project (ERF189387) is a soil carbon sequestration initiative located in the Corangamite region of southwest Victoria, approximately 20km southwest of Colac and 30km east of Cobden. Registered on November 14, 2024, the project covers a project area of 107.25 hectares. The property is situated in the fertile Western District, a region heavily utilised for intensive dairy and beef cattle grazing due to its productive pastures and reliable climate.

The project operates under the Estimation of Soil Organic Carbon Sequestration using Measurement and Models methodology (2021). This method rewards landholders for increasing soil carbon stocks through specific management activities. For the O'Keefe project, these activities include altering stocking rates or grazing intensity to improve vegetation cover, applying synthetic or non-synthetic fertilisers to address nutrient deficiencies, and rejuvenating pastures through seeding or cropping. The proponent, Agriprove Solutions Co No.2 Pty Ltd (a subsidiary of Agriprove), manages the project, leveraging their expertise as Australia's leading soil carbon project developer to facilitate the baselining and crediting process.

Environmentally, the site lies within a high-rainfall zone, with nearby Timboon recording an annual average rainfall of approximately 735mm to 760mm, characterised by wet winters and springs. The local soil profile typically consists of the heavy grey or black volcanic clays and clay loams common to the Victorian Volcanic Plains. These soils are naturally fertile but can be prone to waterlogging and compaction (pugging) during wetter months, making the project's focus on soil health and structure particularly relevant for maintaining productivity while sequestering carbon.